West Michigan Wolves set for second round of playoffs

The West Michigan Wolves did everything in their hockey powers on the ice to avoid losing in a first-round NA3HL playoff series to the Peoria Mustangs last weekend.

But that near-elimination experience against the Mustangs was the just beginning of a brutal task of advancing in the playoffs. Now, with another three-game series in sight, the Wolves must face a team it nudged out for a division championship in the Wisconsin Whalers.

In the words of their coach, the Wolves’ upcoming opponent will be “tough.”

“We are playing a very talented team this week and weekend,” said the Wolves’ head coach and manager Marc Fakler. “They have the leading goal scorer (Peter Henderson) and score the most points per game. They are an excellent team that likes to play tight D. ... This should be a very exciting hockey series.”

The NA3HL playoff begins on the road for the Wolves at the Wisconsin Whalers home — Hertmeyer Ice Arena — at 9 p.m. Game 2 is Saturday at The Rink in Battle Creek at 2 p.m. If a Game 3 is necessary, West Michigan will have another home game at 2 p.m. Sunday where the Wolves will look to advance into the next round.

Even though the Wolves were extended to a Game 3 in the first round of the playoffs, Fakler believes in his team and their resilient charm. It is this resilience – this get-up-after-being-punched grit that will allow them to advance deep into the playoff season.

“We’ve had a resilient group,” Fakler said. “We can bounce back from some bad losses. We know what to do when things go wrong and right the ship. I think our team has grown. Our team has a lot of faith in each other, and we’ve played a lot of good hockey since Christmas. ... We will keep playing for each other.”

Coach Fakler understands sticking with his team’s structure will be the key in winning this weekend.

“We are a good team when we possess the puck,” he said, “and we create turnovers. We create havoc. When we advance the puck, we do a good job. I think if we are cognizant of what we do… then I like our chances.”